Trailing 12-10 with 37 seconds left and facing a third and nine on Christian County’s 17-yard-line, Daviess County QB Remi Davis surveyed the field and threw a strike to the right side that was picked off – ending their comeback chance.
“We came up short tonight,” Daviess County head coach Anthony Payton said. “I have said many times that whenever we drop a game, I will take full accountability. I didn’t get them prepared enough. We all have to look ourselves in the mirror as men and ask what we could have done better. We will try to come out next week and work a little harder.”
Starting with the ball, Christian County quickly marched into the red zone, before the Panthers’ defense forced a turnover on downs at their own 20. Christian County immediately forced a three and out, but on their second drive fumbled on the Panthers 31.
Daviess County could not take advantage and had a second straight three and out. Unfazed by their offense’s slow start, the Panthers’ defense forced another turnover on downs, this time on their 44 after a 12-play drive.
Three plays later, Daviess County QB Remi Davis was picked off at their own 15 – four plays later Christian County scored to take a 6-0 lead. Daviess County had an opportunity to put some points on the board at the end of the first half, but missed a 36-yard field goal as time expired.
Daviess County started the second half at their own 30, butonly gained seven yards before turning it over on downs. Like the first half, the Panthers defense stood tall, picking off the Colonels around midfield. This time around, Daviess County capitalized, scoring a touchdown on a Garrison Barker one-yard rushing touchdown to take a 7-6 lead with 8:18 left in the third.
Christian County fumbled on the ensuing drive, leading to a Panthers 26-yard field goal and a 10-6 lead. Daviess County’s lead was short-lived – the Colonels marched 53 yards to take a 12-10 lead with 1:45 left in the third.
Neither team would score again, with the two combing for five turnovers on the next five drives – back-to-back fumbles, two turnovers on downs, and the game-sealing interception.
If there was a silver lining from last night, it was the Panthers’ defensive performance – forcing three turnovers on downs, two fumbles, and picking off a pass. They allowed over 300 yards, but made the plays when it mattered, including forcing a fumble on their own one-yard line late in the fourth quarter.
Gatlin Maysey led the Panthers offense with 210 rushing yards on 28 carries, while Jayden Hamilton hauled in all three of his targets for 18 yards. Bryson Connor caught two passes for 20 yards, while QB Remi Davis threw for 49 yards, and added another 20 with his legs.
“At halftime we made a few adjustments, and the defense stepped up and did what they had to do,” Payton said. “They put us in a situation to finish the game, but offensively we have to have that killer instinct, and we just don’t have that right now.”
Next up, the Panthers travel to Henderson County for another crucial district match.
